Presence of orient in German philosophy

The article discusses the history of Oriental studies in Germany in connection with the process of German national culture development, determination of German identity in world civilization and the first attempts to create a philosophy of history by many leading German philosophers (J. Brucker, K. Windishman, P. Doissen), as well as the need for comprehension of the expanded historical and philosophical horizon. The interest of G. Leibniz and H. Wolf in Chinese philosophy is noted. We consider the prevailing opinion in the historical and philosophical circles about the prevailing Eurocentrism of the representatives of classical German philosophy. Little-known facts of I. Kant’s detailed acquaintance with the concepts of philosophical Taoism and Buddhism, including the practice of meditation, are highlighted. We have concluded that it is necessary to improve the methods of such a relatively new trend as intercultural philosophy. It is emphasized that preservation of the continuity of cultural and historical traditions entirely falls on the bearers of these national traditions and depends on the level of cultural and civilizational self-identification.